Tracking (Centennial merit badge)

From MeritBadgeDotOrg

In honor of the BSA’s 100th Anniversary, the Tracking (Centennial merit badge) merit badge has been named to the BSA’s new Historical Merit Badge Program and may be earned by Scouts during 2010 until December 31, 2010. See notes below.

Tracking (Centennial merit badge) requirements

Demonstrate by means of a tracking game or otherwise, ability to track skillfully in shelter and wind, etc., showing how to proceed noiselessly and "freeze" when occasion demands.

Know and recognize the tracks of ten different kinds of animals or birds in his vicinity, three of which may be domestic.

Submit satisfactory evidence that he has trailed two different kinds of wild animals or birds on ordinary ground far enough to determine the direction in which they were going, and their gait or speed. Give the names of animals or birds trailed, their direction of travel, and describe gait and speed; or submit satisfactory evidence that he has trailed six different kinds of wild animal or birds in snow, sand, dust, or mud, far enough to determine the direction they were going and their gait or speed. Give names of animals or birds, their direction of travel, and describe gait and speed.

Submit satisfactory evidence that he has tracked a human being and deducted from the trail whether it was man or woman, young or old, the gait or speed, and also give any other information deduced.

Submit evidence that he has scored at least 30 points from the following groups: Group (f) and 4 of the 5 groups (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) must be represented in the score of 30 and at least 7 points must be scored from (a), (b), or (c). Make a clear, recognizable photographs of:

a. Live bird away from nest – 4 points each

b. Live woodchuck or smaller wild animal – 3 points each

c. Live wild animal larger than woodchuck – 4 points each

d. Live bird on nest – 3 points each

e. Tracks of live wild animal or bird – 2 points each

f. Make satisfactory plaster cast of wild animal or bird tracks with identification imprint on back of cast – 2 points each

"The effective date for earning these new merit badges is April 1, 2010, and requirements must be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2010." — 2010 Historical MB Program

"The contemporary merit badges closely resemble the original designs of their counterparts with the exception of the border, which is gold." — 2010 Historical MB Program

The BSA Supply Division will not print (new) or re-print (old) pamphlets for these merit badges – official BSA materials for these merit badges will be available only in electronic format at Scouting.Org. (We have provided you those links, above).

1938, 1945, 1950 merit badge requirements

Demonstrate by means of a stalking game or otherwise, ability to stalk skillfully in shelter and wind, etc., showing how to proceed noiselessly and "freeze" when occasion demands.

Know and recognize the tracks of ten different kinds of animals or birds in his vicinity, three of which may be domestic.

Submit satisfactory evidence that he has trailed two different kinds of wild animals or birds on ordinary ground far enough to determine the direction in which they were going, and their gait or speed. Give names of animals or birds trailed, their direction of travel, and describe gait and speed; or submit satisfactory evidence that he has trailed six different kinds of wild animal or birds in snow, sand, dust, or mud, far enough to determine the direction in which they were going, and their gait or speed. Give names of animals or birds, their direction of travel, and describe gait and speed.

Submit satisfactory evidence that he has tracked a human being and deduced from the trail whether it was a man or woman, young or old, the gait or speed, and also give any other information deduced.

Submit evidence the he has scored at least 30 points from the following groups: [Group (f) and 4 of the 5 groups (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) must be represented in the score of 30 and at least 7 points must be scored from (a), (b), or (c)].

Make a clear recognizable photograph of:

(a) Live bird away from nest ... 4 points each

(b) Live woodchuck or smaller wild animal ... 3 points each

(c) Live wild animal larger than woodchuck ... 4 points each

(d) Live bird on nest ... 3 points each

(e) Tracks of live wild animal or bird ... 2 points each

and

(f) Make satisfactory plaster cast of wild animal or bird tracks with identification imprint on back of cast ... 2 points each